Frequently Asked Questions
When did 12 volt systems become available for trucks?
12 volt systems became available for smaller trucks when the 1955 2nd series trucks where introduced, which where also known as the Task Force era. This was for all 1955 2nd series Chevy trucks except GMC trucks with 6 cylinder motors, which still used the 6 volt system (positive ground).
Heavy duty GMC trucks, such the 860 series, where available with an optional Detroit Diesel engine, that had a 12 volt positive ground eletrical system from the factory dating back from 1950 and possibly prior. All 1950 - 1959 GMC 900 series truck where equipped with Detroit Diesels and a 12 volt positive ground electrical system.
What are the dimensions for a 1/2 ton Advance Design truck?
Height: 67.0"
Length: 196.6" (not including bumper guards)
Width: 68.0"
Wheelbase: 116.0"
Front Track: 57.6"
Rear Track: 60.0"
Weight: 3,275 lbs.
Thanks to Dave for submitting this information.
Are the hood & fenders interchangeable from different model trucks?
All the hoods and fenders are the same for 3100, 3600 & 3800 model trucks. Obviously, attempting to put a Chevrolet hood on a GMC just wouldn't work but putting a hood from a Chevy 1/2 ton (3100) on a Chevy 3/4 ton (3600) would work just fine (minus the side hood emblem changes). The 1-1/2 ton truck's hood and fenders are interchangeable with the 2-ton trucks. Interesting enough, all AD cabs were the same, including COEs. So the real difference between the big & small truck bodies are the fenders, hood & grille.
The only thing to watch out for is the year emblem changes. For example, a 1948 hood had a single emblem
Chevroletwith
Thriftmasterunderneath it on the same emblem. A 1950 hood has two emblems; one says
Chevrolet& a smaller one below it says
3100(or what ever model designation the truck is). The 1950 hood has two sets of holes in it while the 1948 hood only has one set of holes for the side emblem. If we where to put a 1950 hood on a 1948 truck & put the 1948 side hood emblem on, we'd have an additional set of holes under the emblem. This would also work vice versa, as a 1948 hood on a 1950 truck would be a set of holes short for the second smaller emblem. Just food for thought.
Thanks to Ryan & 53 Dumpy for submitting this information.
What is a COE?
Cab Over Engine trucks where the medium duty trucks of the era, starting from 1.5 ton & up. They where called COE's because the cab sat over most of the engine. The center section of the floorboard has a removable panel to get access to the engine. They where also referred to as
snub nose, due to there short front end.
In several states, their weight or license class (such as air brakes) requires a CDL, non-CDL (non-commercial class A) or some form of excemption, which usually also requires a sign
Not For Hirefor non-commercial use, located visibly from the vehicle's exterior.
These trucks are subject to stopping at all weigh stations, level 1 & 3 DOT inspections and commercial registration fees (weight fees, highway patrol fees, fuel taxes, etc.). This usually varies from state to state. Several people have done body swaps with 1970's/1980's lighter truck/van or P30 motorhome chassis in order to avoid this problem.
When where 2-1/2 ton Chevrolet Heavy Duty trucks first offered & whats their lug count?
They became available in 1956 as the 7000, 8000, 9000 & 10000 series. They all came with 6-lug & a 8-3/4" wheel center hole. The 1-1/2 ton 4000 series Chevy truck had a 5-lug front & 10-lug rear with a 7-1/4" wheel center hole. Chevrolet never offered a 5-lug on a 2-1/2 ton truck.
Thanks to Mike Boteler for submitting this information.
When did 400 big block engines become available?
A little history on the 400 big block engine. The 396 debuted in mid 1965, and was run through the 1969 model year. In 1970, it was still billed as a 396, but was actually bored .030 bigger at the factory to 402. In 1971, it was sold as a 400, which was the cause of much confusion because of the 400 SB that also came out in 1970. An easy way to identify it is by the balancer. A 454 in externally balanced and the balancer is not evenly weighted all the way around, where as the short-stroke 396/402/427 all used the same crank & balancer. It's smooth and evenly weighted. In a vehicle as old as this 1972 is, it's quite possible that the original 402 was replaced with a 454 due to the fact they are easier to come by than the 402 is these days.
NOTE (not from Devin): With the introduction of the LSx motors in the late 90's, all big block motors are doomed to become obsolete in the near future, with the exception of certain racing & marine applications. With their cost of parts, weight, operationing expenses, raising fuel costs & introduction of modern technologies & materials making smaller, lighter weight motors more effiecient & power capible, leaving big block motors with a shaky future.
Thanks to Devin Timmons for submitting this information.
What is GVWR?
The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating is the maximum amount that the vehicle can weigh, fully loaded with passengers and gear. It's therefore one of the main design factors engineers use to size suspension components and tires. For towing applications, trailer tongue weight is considered part of the GVWR.
What is GCWR?
The Gross Combined Weight Rating is the maximum allowable weight of the entire vehicle, loaded and ready to go. It includes not only the weight of the tow vehicle, but also it's fuel, passengers, cargo, the dog, the canoe on the roof, plus the weight of the trailer and everything inside of that. GCWR is the design metric used by engineers to size things like the cooling system, engine, transmission, axle ratio and brakes.
Curb Weight
The curb weight is the weight of the vehicle by itself, as it sits in your driveway, with a full tank of fuel, but with no one or nothing in the vehicle. Manufacturers usually publish the base curb weight in their manuals. The base curb weight usually includes only a bare minimum of common options. So if you bought the dual rear wheel version of a truck with the optional extended cab, tow hitch and sunroof, the weight of those options is probably not reflected in the base curb weight. Your vehicle's actual curb weight might be as much as 500 or more pounds heavier than the manufacturer's published number.
Tongue Weight
Another familiar term, this is the portion of a trailer's total weight that bares down on the trailer hitch. It typically runs from 10-15 percent of total trailer weight on standard hitches and can be as much as 25 percent on 5th-wheel applications. The amount of tongue weight depends on the design of the trailer and more importantly, how you load it. Tongue weight in itself isn't what gives the stability to a vehicle, but rather the location of a trailer's center of gravity forward of the trailer axle that does it.
Towing Capacity
Simply put, the towing capacity is the GCWR minus the curb weight of the truck and minus the weight of everything in the truck plus the driver, passengers, dog, cargo, etc. The maximum towing capacity, the number manufacturers publish and advertise, is importantly different. That number is typically equal to the GCWR minus the manufacturer's base curb weight, minus a 150-pound driver.
What is FLAPS?
Your Friendly Local Auto Parts Supplier refers to any local auto parts retailer/supplier.
What is RPO?
The Regular Production Option is a commonly used GM coding system for a vehicle's configuration options. These refer to a specific option or modification to the vehicle as it exits the factory. Paint color, engine type, trim type, etc. are a few examples of an RPO.
What is YOM?
The Year Of Manufacture term is usually used when referring to license plates. It refers to the same year, state and class (commercial) license plate that was originally on the vehicle for it's year and location. These are usually used by those trying to keep there vehicle as original or close to orginal as possible.
Brake Horsepower VS Road Horsepower
Simply put, brake horsepower is the raw horsepower of an engine without any accessories (with possibly the exception of the water pump) or transmission. Road horsepower is just the opposite; the engine horsepower with accessories and transmission. Road horsepower is a much better and more accurate rating method of an engine's power output. Don't confuse this with the actual horsepower and torque being delivered to the wheels. Thats completely different.
How much does a factory 216/235 straight six truck engine weigh?
You might want to brace yourself for this one, but the factory straight six truck engine roughly weighs 615 to 630 lbs. Thats roughly about 50 lbs. less then a 454 big block engine.
What battery would you recommend?
I'd recommend using yellow top Optimas. Don't confuse these with the red top Optimas which are not deep-cycle batteries. Optimas are sealed (so battery tray rust-out is minimal) & typically used in marine applications, but also high output applications as well.
Where can I get the GM Restoration Package?
This packet is free from the General Motors Chevrolet Division & is the ultimate reference for your old truck. You will need your VIN number when contacting them for this pack.
If you want to write them at:
Chevrolet Customer Assistance Center
Chevrolet Motor Division
General Motors Corporation
PO Box 7047
Troy, Michigan 48007-7047
Phone: 1-800-222-1020
Canadian truck owners should contact:
GM Canada Vintage Vehicle Services
Phone: (in Canada) 1-888-467-6853, between 8:00 AM & 5:00 PM EST (Outside Canada 1-905-644-3387 or 1-905-644-4060).
Unlike the US Restoration Packs, GM Canada charges for theirs however, unlike the US version, you will receive information specific to your particular truck.
The cost is as follows:
For vehicles 1963 & older: $25.00 (CDN) + GST & PST (Ont.)
For 1964 to current vehicles: $45.00 (CDN) + GST & PST (Ont.)
Once again, those prices are in Canadian dollars.
Thanks to Tom Caperton for submiting this information.
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